Classics Start in Istanbul

Organised by the Klasik Otomobil Kulübü, the Mercedes-Benz Spring Rally 2016 will get under way on Saturday 23 April at 11:00 in front of the Mercedes-AMG Lounge at Istanbul Park, with close to 100 classic cars taking part.
Part of the international classification and run under the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA) Group B Event category, the Mercedes-Benz Spring Rally 2016 will see crews head to Izmit on the first day, with the route ending back at the Mercedes-AMG Lounge at Istanbul Park. On the second day the route starts in front of the Shangri La Bosphorus Istanbul Hotel in Beşiktaş. This time the crews will travel on the European side of Istanbul, turning back after a lunch break at Büyükçekmece/Güzelce, and after calling in at the Aziz Nesin Foundation-Çocuk Cenneti (Children's Paradise) in Çatalca, they will reach the finish line at 42 Maslak.
Alongside classic Mercedes-Benz cars built between 1950 and 1975, the Mercedes-Benz Spring Rally 2016 will also feature Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Plymouth, Chevrolet and Citroen cars built between 1940 and 1960; so-called "muscle cars" built between 1965 and 1975, such as the Ford Mustang, Thunderbird, Mercury Cougar, Chevrolet Corvette, Camaro, Impala, Dodge Charger and Challenger; and classics from 1960 to 1975 such as Porsche, Alfa Romeo, Cadillac, Rolls Royce and the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. Each with its own story and looking like a work of art, these cars will turn the roads of Istanbul into a magnificent celebration with their nostalgic appearance on 23-24 April, creating plenty of enjoyable moments.
Şükrü Bekdikhan, Marketing and Sales Director of Mercedes-Benz Türk Automobile Group, said in a statement: "On 29 January 1886, our company's founder Carl Benz filed a patent application for a three-wheeled motor vehicle. For this reason, that date is regarded as the birthday of the motor vehicle. On the 130th anniversary of the birth of the automobile, we are very proud to support the Klasik Otomobil Kulübü once again and to be the title sponsor of the Mercedes-Benz Spring Rally 2016."